Shadow Foreign Secretary calls on the government to reduce Tourism VAT

A prominent frontbench Labour MP has voiced her support for a reduction in tourism-related VAT. Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times during the Labour Party Conference, the Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry emphasised the need to help struggling tourist services in the UK, and highlighted how the government had negotiated a cut in tourism…..Read more

Republic of Ireland reveal increase in tourism-related VAT

Following the announcement of the Republic of Ireland’s 2019 Budget, there has been a backlash from the tourism industry against the rise in VAT on tourism-related services from 9% to 13.5%. In his budget address, Minister for Finance claimed that a review of the cut to 9% in order to stimulate the tourism industry in…..Read more

New Campaign research shows benefits of VAT reduction

The Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT has produced new figures showing the remarkable economic case for a reduction in VAT on tourism. The UK is one of only three European countries to not reap the benefits of a reduced rate of VAT for tourism, and at 20% has a rate almost double the European average.…..Read more

All eyes on the Budget as tourism VAT consultation closes

Following the end of the Government’s consultation period on VAT on tourism in Northern Ireland earlier this month, the Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT, and the wider tourism industry, wait to see if a reduction for Northern Ireland will be included in the Chancellor’s Budget in the autumn. A cut would be a major victory…..Read more

Treasury Minister visits Northern Ireland to discuss VAT with business representatives

On the 10th of May, Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride MP, visited Belfast to discuss the current consultation on VAT and APD with Northern Irish business leaders. Following the meeting, Stride wrote a piece for the Belfast Telegraph extolling the virtues of the Northern Irish economy and the tourism industry specifically. In the…..Read more

House of Lords forms Committee to examine Coastal Communities.

The House of Lords has announced a Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities, which follows increased engagement by the Campaign with members of the House of Lords. The Committee states that since the growth of cheaper foreign holidays, many seaside towns, which grew as holiday destinations in the 19th and 20th centuries, have…..Read more